BAE Systems enhances its missile warning system

By KIMBERLY HOUGHTONUnion Leader Correspondent

NASHUA — A Common Missile Warning System that has protected soldiers from infrared-guided missiles for several years is receiving an advanced makeover.

BAE Systems recently completed a critical design review for its Integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment software update, which company officials say is a giant step in the advancement of integrated infrared detection for aircraft.

BAE Systems, a global defense, security and aerospace company with employees worldwide and in New Hampshire, announced Wednesday that its newly improved Common Missile Warning System received a successful review.

“We are proud to be the Army’s first choice as it takes its first step into Integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment,” said Steve Johnson, director of business development for BAE Systems’ Threat Management Solutions, who said the Common Missile Warning System, including software work, is staffed out of the Nashua facility.

About 30 personnel from the Nashua site is working on the program, Johnson said.

The company’s CMWS has nearly a decade of proven success, and has flown more than 2 million in-theater combat hours while saving countless aircraft and lives, said Bill Staib, director of Threat Management Solutions at BAE Systems, in a news release.

The critical design review highlighted the system’s ease of integration with other survivability technology, including the ability to accept data from both radar and laser warning receivers, the release said.

“By providing the U.S. Army with its first IASE capability, BAE Systems will reduce pilot workload and improve survivability by consolidating critical mission data into a single Pilot Vehicle Interface,” according to the release, and the enhancements also allow threat data to be integrated into multiple platforms without costly upgrades or equipment.

Previously, the U.S. Army awarded BAE Systems a $39 million contract for more than 300 third-generation, or Gen3 systems.

Staib said earlier that the enhancements allow the company to provide a missile warning, hostile fire indication and data recording system in one box, which can increase situational awareness for troops.

The device also locates threats and dispenses countermeasures without requiring pilot intervention, according to BAE Systems’ website.

“Highlighting the company’s leadership in this area, its CMWS technology is expected to be utilized to identify incoming threats for the U.S. Army’s next-generation Common Infrared Countermeasures system, which is designed to protect the U.S. Army and Navy helicopter fleets,” according to the website.

BAE Systems has facilities in Manchester, Merrimack, Nashua and Hudson. The Manchester site has 117 employees, while Merrimack has 711, Nashua has 2,853 and Hudson has 702 workers.